GA Telesis Engine Services (GATES) says it will be ramping up its engine MRO operations in 2019. With record engine slot inputs in 2018 across all engine models coupled with major commitments from existing and new customers of the CF6-80C2, CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines over the next 3 years. GATES is seizing on the opportunity to increase its production capability. GATES is also investigating the potential of adding capabilities for three other engine models.
The growth will come in the form of hiring additional technicians and support staff, along with a significant cap-ex spend for additional tooling machinery as well as upgrading the company’s ERP system. Commencing immediately the initiatives will continue over the next five years, growing slot capacity by 150%.
“Since the acquisition of GATES, we have doubled the size of the workforce and have made significant cap-ex investments in the business,” said Jukka Laurila, President of GATES. “It is our intention to continue down this track and grow our existing customer relationships, while also expanding our customer network,” he added.
“We see a long-term surge in demand across all of the jet engine models we service. The new initiatives will not only provide GATES with much needed manpower, but will give us the tools we need for operational and performance optimization,” said Carsten Holm, GATES Chief Operating Officer.